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Cancer Rehabilitation

Each person who is newly diagnosed with cancer or is following treatment for cancer has unique needs. Cancer rehabilitation can help individuals become stronger, more independent and move better. Therapy may also help lessen your side effects of treatment such as extreme tiredness, pain, scarring, nausea, problems thinking (sometimes called “chemo brain”) and a type of swelling named lymphedema.

The Mizzou Therapy Services team provides these services at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center:

A physical therapist, occupational therapist and/or a speech therapist will perform an evaluation. We collect a thorough medical and personal history, measure your ability to move and identify problem areas you may be experiencing.

We complete a risk assessment of complications from treatment, which could include scar tissue, movement or self-care problems and lymphedema.

Working with you, we develop an individualized plan that may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy or a combination of therapies.

Lymphedema treatment

Some cancer survivors will have a condition named lymphedema. Lymphedema is a chronic swelling in your limbs that can happen after lymph nodes are damaged by cancer treatments. We offer the gold standard of treatment for this condition, named Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT). CDT includes manual lymph drainage, compression bandaging, skin care, exercise and education. Our certified lymphedema therapists teach patients self-care techniques and help fit patients with the proper compression garments.

Your clinical team

Our Mizzou Therapy Services therapists at Ellis Fischel have received specialized training in several aspects of cancer rehabilitation, including lymphedema. Our goal is to help patients live as independently as possible during and after treatments. We provide therapies that focus on returning to daily activities as well as increasing mobility and motion. We specialize in the following areas of therapy:

Speech therapy

Occupational therapy

Physical therapy

Speech therapy

The speech-language pathology team serves individuals with communication and swallowing disorders that are related to cancer. This includes patients who have undergone a total laryngectomy.

Occupational therapy

Your life is made up of meaningful everyday activities, or occupations. Our occupational therapists will help you get back to the activities that may be disrupted by cancer or the effects of treatment.

Physical therapy

Our physical therapists help patients improve the way they move. The will work with you and in collaboration with your doctors and other health care professionals.

Contact us

For more information or to make an appointment, please call 573-884-4774. Faxes can be sent to 573-884-2201.